St. Johns County Parks and Recreation names new director
St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department recently announced that Doug Bataille was named the department’s new director.
A native of Ohio, Bataille has an extensive background in the parks and recreation industry. He comes to the area from Knoxville, Tennessee, where he spent more than 24 years as the senior director for Knox County Parks and Recreation, overseeing all operations, personnel, planning, development and budget for a system of 42 parks totaling 2,500 acres as well as a public golf course and marina.
Bataille, who has a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree in parks and recreation administration from Indiana University, has received numerous awards and accolades over the years including the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Fellow Award in 2015.
His new position with St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department will have Bataille oversee the department’s facilities and programming, beach services, maintenance department, St. Johns County ocean and fishing pier, county naturalist programs and St. Johns Golf Club.
St. Johns County holding solid waste and recycling rates workshops
St. Johns County is hosting public workshops to provide information regarding proposed recycling and solid waste rate increases. The meetings will allow residents to ask questions and receive material regarding the proposed new rates. Those wishing to participate are invited to attend any of the following public workshops:
■ June 20, 6-8 p.m.: Southeast Library, 6670 U.S. 1 South.
■ June 25, 6-8 p.m.: Switzerland Community Church, 2179 State Road 13.
A final public hearing regarding the proposed special rate assessment is scheduled for the Aug. 6 Board of County Commissioners regular meeting. For more information, call (904) 827-6980.
